Prompt: Share about a Christmas tradition that encourages practicing hospitality.
Wind rushes through the air, whistling and whooshing as it flows across every surface outside. Temperatures dropping, we all bundle up in our warm sweaters, jackets, and begin this season of cozy. In our music choices we hear about sugar plums, Santa Clause, sleigh bells, gingerbread, a silent night, and baby Jesus. Anticipating cookie baking, carols, twinkling lights, and tree decorating, our excitement rises. In our home we gather around and light advent candles and prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Well before David (Pastor Dave) and I were married, I knew about Stromboli sandwiches on Christmas Eve. This was a non-negotiable when it would come to making decisions about traditions in our family. The tradition started because Grandma (not a grandma at the time though) hosted Christmas Eve dinner, and church services were at all different times, so to make a meal that could be served warm throughout an open house format the sandwiches worked best
I was given the recipe and learned how to make the sauce, exactly the ratio of garlic and butter to spread on the bread, how much cheese so that it wouldn’t melt out the sides and the size, dimensions and method to wrap each one in foil. For twenty years we have continued to make Stromboli sandwiches.
Sometimes we have shared them only among the five of us around our dinner table at home between church services; sometimes we have shared them with our church family in between hosting Christmas Eve services at church, and often they have been shared with a lonely or grieving neighbor to offer warmth and care. The winter we were isolated because of the global pandemic, we shared Stromboli sandwiches in their foil packages because we were not allowed to share a table together. Grandma Rohde actually delivered them to her friends and neighbors that year to enjoy at home.
This is a tradition that has encouraged the Rohde family to practice hospitality. It is a way we get to share God’s love in a tangible way, each Christmas season.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
― 1 Peter 4:8-11
What traditions do you practice that offer hospitality in this season or another? Is there a way to adjust one of your cherished traditions to share God’s love with your neighbors?
Give Financially - You may give during the service on Sunday, use one of the QR codes above, give online here, or mail a check to the church office: 32111 Watergate Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361.
Contact the church staff with questions or concerns: info1@wpcwestlake.org or call 818.889.1491
